Classified by Pol-Econ Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon.
1. (SBU) On December 28, an estimated 100 Palestinians
entered Egypt through a breach along the Egypt-Gaza border.
Egyptian forces repelled the crowds, but at least one
Egyptian security officer and several Palestinians were
killed. The border is reportedly quiet today and breaches
have been repaired. MOD denied DAO's request to visit Rafah.
The MFA reports deliveries of humanitarian assistance were
made through Rafah on December 29 from Egypt (45 tons), Libya
(31 tons), and Qatar (35 tons). An Iranian shipment was to
be delivered December 30, along with one from KSA. About 75
injured Palestinians have been allowed into Egypt to receive
medical treatment. We also received confirmation from GOE
State Security that American passport holders leaving Gaza
through Jordan would be allowed entry into Egypt, as long as
their itineraries are coordinated with the GOE. There are
rumors of demonstrations in Cairo on December 30, but so far
today we have not seen evidence of any planning. The press
estimates 55,000 Egyptians have taken part in demonstrations
since December 27. On December 28, about 150 Muslim
Brotherhood (MB) members of parliament and activists
demonstrated outside the People's Assembly. Demonstrations
December 29 were held in Qalyubia, Zagazig and Kafr El-Sheikh
in the Delta, and in Fayoum. While images of the attacks
dominate the media, Egyptian official and independent media
have shifted their focus from outrage over Israeli attacks to
strongly-worded attacks on Hamas for killing an Egyptian
police officer at the Egypt-Gaza border "in cold blood" and
on Hassan Nasrallah's call on Egypt's military and citizens
to "take to the streets" to open the Rafah crossing.
2. (SBU) Rafah Border Security: On December 28, an
estimated 100 Palestinians entered Egypt through a breach
along the Egypt-Gaza border. Some reports indicate the
breach occurred following an Israeli air strike; others
indicate Palestinians exploited existing holes in the wall
before the strikes targeting smuggling tunnels began.
Egyptian security forces eventually repelled the crowds, but
at least one Egyptian security officer and several
Palestinians were killed in the process. A large funeral
service was held December 29 for the Egyptian officer, who
was well known to many in the Embassy from visits to the
Rafah border. The border is reportedly quiet today and the
breaches along the border wall have been repaired. DAO
requested permission to visit the Rafah border area, but MOD
denied their request.
3. (SBU) Rafah Border/Humanitarian Assistance: According to
the MFA, the following deliveries of humanitarian assistance
(medical supplies and food) were made through Rafah on
December 29: Egypt (45 tons), Libya (31 tons), and Qatar (35
tons). One Iranian planeload of assistance was delivered in
Cairo and was expected to be delivered through Rafah today.
The Iranians have asked permission to bring 10 more plane
loads. Assistance from KSA is also expected to be delivered
through Rafah today. Around 75 injured Palestinians have
been allowed into Egypt to receive medical treatment. There
is considerable public pressure on the government to provide
humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
4. (SBU) ACS Update: The American Citizens Services
Section in Embassy Tel Aviv reached out to ACS Cairo on
Sunday to explore the possibility of evacuating approximately
35 American citizens from Gaza through the Rafah border
crossing into Egypt. We believe that for political and
security reasons the GOE will not be opening the border for
crossing of this time in the near future. ACS Cairo received
confirmation from GOE State Security that any American
passport holders leaving Gaza through Jordan would be allowed
entry into Egypt, as long as their itineraries are
coordinated with the GOE.
Demonstrations
--------------
5. (U) There are rumors of demonstrations in downtown Cairo
on December 30, specifically a march from the Press Syndicate
to the Arab League, but so far today we have not seen
evidence of any planning. The police are maintaining a
presence December 30 outside the press and lawyers,
syndicates in case demonstrations are staged in these
locations.
6. (C) The local press estimates about 55,000 Egyptians
have taken part in demonstrations since the Israeli attacks
began on December 27. Analysts and civil society observers
told us December 30 that demonstrations have been milder than
expected, partly because of GOE security efforts to contain
them. Still, these contacts remarked on what they see as
public anger against Israel, and against the GOE for its
perceived acquiescence to the Israeli attacks and its
inability to stop the Israeli operations. One contact
worried about Hizballah SG Nasrallah's December 28 speech
CAIRO 00002585 002 OF 002
resonating with the Egyptian public, and noted pictures of
Nasrallah being sold in Cairo kiosks. Another contact
described sharp public recriminations on a popular talk show
against Mubarak and FM Aboul-Gheit for allegedly "acting on
behalf of Israel and the United States." Most contacts did
not expect the demonstrations to increase in size or
intensity if the Israeli operations continue.
7. (U) On December 28, Muslim Brotherhood (MB) members of
parliament and activists staged demonstrations outside the
entrance to the People's Assembly to protest what they
described as "Egypt's complicity" in Israel's attacks on
Gaza. Press reports estimated that 150 people participated.
According to press reports, 700 demonstrators then marched to
the Doctors' Syndicate where they joined approximately 1,500
additional protestors. Protestors held up copies of the
Koran and photos showing Mubarak shaking hands with Israeli
FM Livni. On December 29, approximately 4,000 demonstrators
attended a protest at the Press Syndicate organized by the MB
along with left-wing movements and parties such as the Labor
party, Kefaya and the Revolutionary Socialists.
Significantly, MB Supreme Guide Mohammed Mahdi Akef joined
the demonstration, the first time he has done so in recent
memory. We attended the demonstration and estimate that
approximately 1,500 security forces in full riot gear were
also on hand. The crowd was shouting "We are all Hamas," and
waving Palestinian flags. Some signs in the crowd said,
"Down with Mubarak," but most focused on Gaza. According to
press reports, the following demonstrations took place
December 29:
--1,000 supporters of the socialist Tagammu party held a
protest December 29 in Qalyubia.
--5,000 MB members protested at the Doctors, Syndicate in
Zagazig in the Nile Delta.
--5,000 people marched in Kafr El-Sheikh in the northern Nile
Delta.
--Hundreds of MB members marched in Fayoum, southwest of
Cairo.
Media round-up
--------------
8. (U) While images of death and suffering plus mounting
casualties from Israel's air attacks on Gaza continue to
dominate the media, Egyptian official and independent media
have shifted their focus from outrage over Israeli attacks on
Gaza to strongly-worded attacks on Hamas for killing an
Egyptian police officer at the Egypt-Gaza border "in cold
blood" and on Hassan Nasrallah for his call on Egypt's
military and citizens to "take to the streets" to open the
Rafah crossing.
9. (U) The funeral of the Egyptian officer killed at Rafah
received extensive and emotional TV news coverage. Reports
focused on the estimated 30,000 mourners who carried
anti-Hamas signs. Photos of the funeral made the front page
of most papers. TV talk shows and the front pages of
official papers attacked Nasrallah's "anti-Egyptian"
rhetoric, accusing him of pursuing an Iranian agenda against
Egyptian interests. FM Aboul Gheit and the FM spokesman
appeared on evening talk shows with Aboul Gheit stating that
"Nasrallah does not know Egypt." The FM spokesman said
Nasrallah lost credibility with the Egyptian people. The
editor in chief of Al Ahram penned a piece calling Nasrallah
the "little Ayatollah." FM Aboul Gheit was also reported as
rejecting calls to recall Egypt's ambassador in Tel Aviv,
crediting his presence with the ability to get badly needed
Egyptian and other assistance into Gaza. Photos of injured
civilians, especially children, in Gaza also received front
page placement in all papers to illustrate the important role
Egypt plays in the movement of humanitarian aid and the
treatment of injured Palestinians. Official papers also
gave prominent coverage to Egypt's call for an immediate
ceasefire.
10. (U) Official and independent media covered street
demonstrations in central Cairo. Official media estimated
"hundreds" of participants while Al Masry Al Youm and other
independent papers put the number of demonstrators "in the
thousands." Independent media also reported on demonstrations
on demonstrations at Cairo University (1000), Helwan
University (800), Al-Azhar University (4000), Ain Shams
University (unspecified), Menoufia, Banha, Daqahlia, Gharbia,
Port Said and Alexandria. Official media had no coverage of
protests outside the capital.
11. (U) There was limited focus on the US. Opposition paper
Al Wafd headlined their coverage "Israel burns Gaza with
smart American bombs." Independent Al Masry Al Youm covered
the embassy,s warden message on possible demonstrations.
SCOBEY

Raw content

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 002585
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KPAL, IS, EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: GAZA ROUND-UP FOR DECEMBER 30
Classified by Pol-Econ Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon.
1. (SBU) On December 28, an estimated 100 Palestinians
entered Egypt through a breach along the Egypt-Gaza border.
Egyptian forces repelled the crowds, but at least one
Egyptian security officer and several Palestinians were
killed. The border is reportedly quiet today and breaches
have been repaired. MOD denied DAO's request to visit Rafah.
The MFA reports deliveries of humanitarian assistance were
made through Rafah on December 29 from Egypt (45 tons), Libya
(31 tons), and Qatar (35 tons). An Iranian shipment was to
be delivered December 30, along with one from KSA. About 75
injured Palestinians have been allowed into Egypt to receive
medical treatment. We also received confirmation from GOE
State Security that American passport holders leaving Gaza
through Jordan would be allowed entry into Egypt, as long as
their itineraries are coordinated with the GOE. There are
rumors of demonstrations in Cairo on December 30, but so far
today we have not seen evidence of any planning. The press
estimates 55,000 Egyptians have taken part in demonstrations
since December 27. On December 28, about 150 Muslim
Brotherhood (MB) members of parliament and activists
demonstrated outside the People's Assembly. Demonstrations
December 29 were held in Qalyubia, Zagazig and Kafr El-Sheikh
in the Delta, and in Fayoum. While images of the attacks
dominate the media, Egyptian official and independent media
have shifted their focus from outrage over Israeli attacks to
strongly-worded attacks on Hamas for killing an Egyptian
police officer at the Egypt-Gaza border "in cold blood" and
on Hassan Nasrallah's call on Egypt's military and citizens
to "take to the streets" to open the Rafah crossing.
2. (SBU) Rafah Border Security: On December 28, an
estimated 100 Palestinians entered Egypt through a breach
along the Egypt-Gaza border. Some reports indicate the
breach occurred following an Israeli air strike; others
indicate Palestinians exploited existing holes in the wall
before the strikes targeting smuggling tunnels began.
Egyptian security forces eventually repelled the crowds, but
at least one Egyptian security officer and several
Palestinians were killed in the process. A large funeral
service was held December 29 for the Egyptian officer, who
was well known to many in the Embassy from visits to the
Rafah border. The border is reportedly quiet today and the
breaches along the border wall have been repaired. DAO
requested permission to visit the Rafah border area, but MOD
denied their request.
3. (SBU) Rafah Border/Humanitarian Assistance: According to
the MFA, the following deliveries of humanitarian assistance
(medical supplies and food) were made through Rafah on
December 29: Egypt (45 tons), Libya (31 tons), and Qatar (35
tons). One Iranian planeload of assistance was delivered in
Cairo and was expected to be delivered through Rafah today.
The Iranians have asked permission to bring 10 more plane
loads. Assistance from KSA is also expected to be delivered
through Rafah today. Around 75 injured Palestinians have
been allowed into Egypt to receive medical treatment. There
is considerable public pressure on the government to provide
humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
4. (SBU) ACS Update: The American Citizens Services
Section in Embassy Tel Aviv reached out to ACS Cairo on
Sunday to explore the possibility of evacuating approximately
35 American citizens from Gaza through the Rafah border
crossing into Egypt. We believe that for political and
security reasons the GOE will not be opening the border for
crossing of this time in the near future. ACS Cairo received
confirmation from GOE State Security that any American
passport holders leaving Gaza through Jordan would be allowed
entry into Egypt, as long as their itineraries are
coordinated with the GOE.
Demonstrations
--------------
5. (U) There are rumors of demonstrations in downtown Cairo
on December 30, specifically a march from the Press Syndicate
to the Arab League, but so far today we have not seen
evidence of any planning. The police are maintaining a
presence December 30 outside the press and lawyers,
syndicates in case demonstrations are staged in these
locations.
6. (C) The local press estimates about 55,000 Egyptians
have taken part in demonstrations since the Israeli attacks
began on December 27. Analysts and civil society observers
told us December 30 that demonstrations have been milder than
expected, partly because of GOE security efforts to contain
them. Still, these contacts remarked on what they see as
public anger against Israel, and against the GOE for its
perceived acquiescence to the Israeli attacks and its
inability to stop the Israeli operations. One contact
worried about Hizballah SG Nasrallah's December 28 speech
CAIRO 00002585 002 OF 002
resonating with the Egyptian public, and noted pictures of
Nasrallah being sold in Cairo kiosks. Another contact
described sharp public recriminations on a popular talk show
against Mubarak and FM Aboul-Gheit for allegedly "acting on
behalf of Israel and the United States." Most contacts did
not expect the demonstrations to increase in size or
intensity if the Israeli operations continue.
7. (U) On December 28, Muslim Brotherhood (MB) members of
parliament and activists staged demonstrations outside the
entrance to the People's Assembly to protest what they
described as "Egypt's complicity" in Israel's attacks on
Gaza. Press reports estimated that 150 people participated.
According to press reports, 700 demonstrators then marched to
the Doctors' Syndicate where they joined approximately 1,500
additional protestors. Protestors held up copies of the
Koran and photos showing Mubarak shaking hands with Israeli
FM Livni. On December 29, approximately 4,000 demonstrators
attended a protest at the Press Syndicate organized by the MB
along with left-wing movements and parties such as the Labor
party, Kefaya and the Revolutionary Socialists.
Significantly, MB Supreme Guide Mohammed Mahdi Akef joined
the demonstration, the first time he has done so in recent
memory. We attended the demonstration and estimate that
approximately 1,500 security forces in full riot gear were
also on hand. The crowd was shouting "We are all Hamas," and
waving Palestinian flags. Some signs in the crowd said,
"Down with Mubarak," but most focused on Gaza. According to
press reports, the following demonstrations took place
December 29:
--1,000 supporters of the socialist Tagammu party held a
protest December 29 in Qalyubia.
--5,000 MB members protested at the Doctors, Syndicate in
Zagazig in the Nile Delta.
--5,000 people marched in Kafr El-Sheikh in the northern Nile
Delta.
--Hundreds of MB members marched in Fayoum, southwest of
Cairo.
Media round-up
--------------
8. (U) While images of death and suffering plus mounting
casualties from Israel's air attacks on Gaza continue to
dominate the media, Egyptian official and independent media
have shifted their focus from outrage over Israeli attacks on
Gaza to strongly-worded attacks on Hamas for killing an
Egyptian police officer at the Egypt-Gaza border "in cold
blood" and on Hassan Nasrallah for his call on Egypt's
military and citizens to "take to the streets" to open the
Rafah crossing.
9. (U) The funeral of the Egyptian officer killed at Rafah
received extensive and emotional TV news coverage. Reports
focused on the estimated 30,000 mourners who carried
anti-Hamas signs. Photos of the funeral made the front page
of most papers. TV talk shows and the front pages of
official papers attacked Nasrallah's "anti-Egyptian"
rhetoric, accusing him of pursuing an Iranian agenda against
Egyptian interests. FM Aboul Gheit and the FM spokesman
appeared on evening talk shows with Aboul Gheit stating that
"Nasrallah does not know Egypt." The FM spokesman said
Nasrallah lost credibility with the Egyptian people. The
editor in chief of Al Ahram penned a piece calling Nasrallah
the "little Ayatollah." FM Aboul Gheit was also reported as
rejecting calls to recall Egypt's ambassador in Tel Aviv,
crediting his presence with the ability to get badly needed
Egyptian and other assistance into Gaza. Photos of injured
civilians, especially children, in Gaza also received front
page placement in all papers to illustrate the important role
Egypt plays in the movement of humanitarian aid and the
treatment of injured Palestinians. Official papers also
gave prominent coverage to Egypt's call for an immediate
ceasefire.
10. (U) Official and independent media covered street
demonstrations in central Cairo. Official media estimated
"hundreds" of participants while Al Masry Al Youm and other
independent papers put the number of demonstrators "in the
thousands." Independent media also reported on demonstrations
on demonstrations at Cairo University (1000), Helwan
University (800), Al-Azhar University (4000), Ain Shams
University (unspecified), Menoufia, Banha, Daqahlia, Gharbia,
Port Said and Alexandria. Official media had no coverage of
protests outside the capital.
11. (U) There was limited focus on the US. Opposition paper
Al Wafd headlined their coverage "Israel burns Gaza with
smart American bombs." Independent Al Masry Al Youm covered
the embassy,s warden message on possible demonstrations.
SCOBEY